Global Film Initiative Awards Production Funding to Directors

The Global Film Initiative - a not-for-profit organization that supports independent films from Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East - awarded five lucky filmmakers with production funding for their films, during the Initiative's Winter 2010 granting cycle.

"These projects represent a new level of talent and vision that is unafraid to take risks, both creatively and culturally," said Susan Weeks Coulter, Board Chair of the Global Film Initiative, in a press statement. "They are accomplished, insightful and daring, and we look forward to their success."

68 applications, from 34 different countries, were initially considered before the decision was made.

The five films are (descriptions provided by the Initiative):

"Miss Lovely," dir. Ashim Ahluwalia, IndiaTwo brothers working in Mumbai's seedy C-movie industry come to odds when one decides to make a romantic feature about a mysterious, young ingénue he meets on a train.

"Ninah's Dowry," dir. Victor Viyuoh, CameroonA headstrong woman leaves her village and resists her abusive husband's attempt to reclaim his rights of dowry after she becomes pregnant with another man's baby.

"Red Princesses," dir. Laura Astorga Carrera, Costa RicaDuring Costa Rica's civil war, a young girl pretends to be the leader of a secret revolution, unaware that her game has tragic similarity to the real-life activities of her parents.

"Shadows and Faces," dir. Dervis Zaim, TurkeyIn a bucolic village, the disappearance of an elderly puppeteer sets in motion a series of events that lead to a violent conflict between once peaceful neighbors.

"Tramp," dir. Eduardo Villanueva Jimenez, MexicoA drug-addicted wanderer forms an unusual friendship with a beggar, leading the pair on an elliptical journey through Mexico that includes, of all things, a life-changing trip to the circus.